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Connect to Jesus
By Lisa Zulke
I believe Jesus shapes and reshapes us as people, and as a people group. I believe he reshapes us in each season, and invites us into the journey he is charting in this place. We are here for such a time as this.
He invites you and I to come as we are. Not to tidy up, finish that project, get healthy, go to therapy, and THEN find him for our next assignment. No…he does his best work when we come “as is”…a little tired, disheveled, but with open hands and a humble posture. He wants to walk with us and work with us right now, while we work through those other things. He wants us to trust that we are NOT alone in the stuff of life.
If you’re like me, it can be hard to get there at times. So many things are sitting unfinished on my list. I don’t feel like enough. I want to be ready, prepared, buttoned up and presentable. Then I can make a bold and confident contribution. Later.
Today we heard that Jesus simply says, come. Follow. I will do it. Don’t be afraid. Don’t let your heart be troubled. Oh, man, so hard to do. I’m afraid of what I don’t know. I’m afraid of what I imagine is next. I can overthink and over function my way right into paralysis. That state of being is useless to me, and useless to Jesus.
Do not let your heart be troubled…I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to help you and be with you forever. John 14:1, 16 NASB
Over the past few weeks I have learned I am facing something. Uncertain what just yet. Rather than go internal and silent, I’ve stretched to let others in. To connect with the people beside me. It’s not really in my nature. And that makes me awkward and uncertain as I do it. But what an encouragement my friends, my book circle, my runners, and my come-alongsiders have been.
Saturday, I sat beneath a tree, discussing a book with some of these folks and we shared. We encouraged, and we prayed. As the wind whispered in the limbs above, and leaves gently fell around us, the whisper of the One who is our helper was there.
Who can you allow yourself to connect with on a deeper level? Who can invite into your journey? Who is your greatest cheerleader? Who points you toward Jesus and his Spirit among us? Praying you find your people, and you allow yourself space to be disheveled, present, and enough.
The Book of Acts Reading Plan:
This Fall-Winter we will be diving into the Book of Acts. For context, check out these brief videos on the major themes in Acts from our friends at The Bible Project.
[Monday, September 16]
Acts 12:1-19
This week, let’s take the three connect challenges from our teaching and look for lessons in these passages. How do we see people connect to Jesus as they are? How do they access the power of his Spirit in them? How do they connect to the people beside them? In this story, I love how the Helper gives Peter specific instructions to wake, and escape his cell. When have you sensed the direction of the Holy Spirit in your life?
[Tuesday, September 17]
Acts 12:20-13:22
Today’s passages are full of great application: How do we see people connect to Jesus as they are? How do they access the power of his Spirit in them? How do they connect to the people beside them? Which story do you relate to most deeply?
[Wednesday, September 18]
Acts 13:23-43
In Paul’s first missionary journey he teaches the good news of Jesus…and all the historical context leading to Jesus…to both the Jewish people and the Gentiles. He speaks clearly and boldly, and offers context that allows his entire audience to find themselves in the story of our salvation through Jesus. How do we see people connect to Jesus as they are? How do they access the power of his Spirit in them? How do they connect to the people beside them? Which line in Paul’s teaching can you take with you throughout this day as encouragement?
[Thursday, September 19]
Acts 13:44-52
“For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.'” Here we see Paul call out the Jewish followers who were not open to the truth about Jesus. He turns his teaching energy to the Gentiles…the ancestors, if you will, of you and I. This good news is for EVERYONE. When you look at your faith journey, where do you see the “light…to the farthest corners of the earth” reaching you and your family?
[Friday, September 20]
Acts 14:1-20
Paul and Barnabas continue their bold teaching in these passages when things take an ominous turn. How do we see people connect to Jesus as they are? How do they access the power of his Spirit in them? How do they connect to the people beside them? When have you encountered opposition and found the courage and faith to keep going?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE to visit The Bible Project site and explore their super simple, super informative Bible videos (and other resources). You can also download The Bible Project App HERE.
CLICK HERE to get the Read Scripture App, from our friends at The Bible Project.
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get the free YouVersion Bible for your phone, tablet, or computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
The Bible App For Kids YouVersion partnered with OneHope to develop the Bible App for Kids, designing it specifically to engage children with Bible stories on an age-appropriate level. The Bible App for Kids is a free app for Android, Apple, and Kindle devices, available in over 60 languages.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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